Fascinating Suriname

In our armchair travels, we’ve arrived in Suriname which is a small country on the northeastern coast of South America. It is a country with tropical rainforests.

The Beauty of Paramaribo

Paramaribo is the beautiful capital city of Suriname

sitting on the banks of the Suriname River. Its inner city has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Arya Dewaker is the largest Hindu temple in Suriname. Designed by a Dutch architect this is a two-story octagonal building with meeting rooms, a library, and a ceremony room. In this temple, everything has been designed to reflect aspects of the sun. There is a lot of Sanskrit and Hindi symbolism.

Onafhankelijkheidsplein or Independence Square is where you’ll find some of the most important buildings in Suriname. This square is a great place to spend a lazy afternoon or have a picnic. You can have the opportunity to see a signing bird competition.

The most popular birds in Suriname are known as twatwa, Here in the square people bring them together to compete.

Presidential Palace of Suriname and the Garden of Palms – the presidential palace is located right across from Independence Square and is a great example of Dutch colonial architecture. Built in the 18th century it is still home to the president today.

Attached to the property you’ll find the Garden of Palms with palm trees,

capuchin monkeys, and many tropical birds.

Mosque Keizerstraat is a lovely large building with gardens all around it. While it was being constructed no machinery was used and it took 20 years to complete the mosque.

Next door to it is the Nevah Shalom Synagogue built in the 19th century. It has a sandy floor as a symbol of the Hebrews 40 years in the desert.

St. Peter and St. Paul Cathedral is the largest wooden building in the Western Hemisphere and was built in the 19th century. It was painted grey and yellow.

Around Paramaribo

Just outside of the city there is an amazing savannah white-sand forest, a jungle with plenty of wildlife and cold streams.

Here you can see sloths, saki monkeys, giant anteaters, tamarins and many exotic birds.

Venturing into Suriname

Galibi Coppename Nature Reserve was established in 1969 and is located at the mouth of the Coppename River. This is a great place for bird watchers.

It is home to the endangered manatee and during laying season attracts hundreds of turtles. You can be part of an organized tour.

Central Suriname Nature Reserve is the largest nature reserve in Suriname. Found in Central Suriname it is home to plants and animals only found in the Guianas.

One of the highlights here is Raleighvallen, Raleigh Falls, a long and low staircase of water cascading down from the Coppename River.

Here you’ll see spider monkeys, electric eels, and exotic birds. You can find lodging in the park. It is also a great place to go hiking.

Along the Commewijne River, you’ll find fascinating old plantations as well as cacao, coffee, and sugar cane facilities. Tourists enjoy renting bikes for the day and cycling around the plantations. One of the most popular routes is crossing the river from Paramaribo by water taxi.

Take a look at Fort Nieuw Amsterdam that has artifacts left from the slave trade and Dutch engineered locks that hold back the river.